François Hamel, Géo.

Pascal Fortin, Géo.

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Pyrrhotite:

Issue

Expert assessment contents

Benefits to our clients

Issue

The issue, mostly known in the Mauricie region, is characterized by the excessive presence of sulphides (pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite) in concrete, which can cause its sulphate expansion. As a result, this may bring about significant disturbances to the building’s foundations. The analysis mainly is an assessment of sulphide levels present within the large aggregates of the concrete in the foundation walls of the property. In relation to those levels, the risk of foundation disturbances is determined.

The first step of the expert assessment is to ascertain if the concrete is likely to contain problematic quantities of sulphides. If trials reveal such a possibility, it is recommended to proceed to the second stage of the assessment. This allows a more cost-efficient procedure, in case the levels in the concrete are not of problematic potential.